Contents

First Things First

There are a number of mailing lists and channels that you should join, once you've been inducted into Starfleet. Use the following commands to stay abreast of events and information useful to all members of your new organization:

If you have issues subscribing to any of the above lists, submit a Ticket (@request)

Items Necessary to Your Task

If you have not yet done so, seek out a replicator and retrieve your uniform. You will already be wearing the pips or rank insignia appropriate for your rank. Marines will want to wear the Starfleet Marine Uniform, while regular Starfleet will wear the simple Starfleet Uniform.

You will also want to replicate a Duffel Bag, Tricorder, and PADD.

To activate your communications device, type @cinstall and then type .help for information on how to operate your Commplant.

Your First Assignment

Once your biography is approved and you're ready to enter the IC world, you still need a place to be. All members of Starfleet should have an assignment to an active ship or station. This can be done in multiple methods, usually through conversation with a Starfleet Admin (Wizard/Royal), or you can use the automated form (P-30C) which can be activated after being inducted into Starfleet by typing @bupers.

Bureau of Personnel

If you want to assist the Bureau of Personnel in determining your choice of assignment, the following choices are available to you in selecting the division or department in which your character may wish to serve:

Border Patrol: While the explorers are away, someone has to stay behind and protect the Alliance borders, assist civilian traffic in times of distress, and regulate all shipping. The Border Patrol is the 25th Century equivalent of the United States Coast Guard.

Exploration Command: The antithesis of the Border Patrol, the Starfleet Exploration Command sends starships out into the final frontier in order to further understanding of the universe. This division is separated into four sub-divisions: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta.

Starbase Operations: Starbases, Stations, and planet-based installations fall under this division. Officers and enlisted assigned to this division are often found serving aboard such posts.

Admiralty Staff: Future leaders of Starfleet often serve a tour or two upon the staff of an admiral in order to be 'groomed' for like-minded duties in the future.

Inspector General's Office: This division of Starfleet is charged with ensuring that it complies with its own regulations. In essence, this is the "internal affairs" group for Starfleet. Officers and enlisted belonging to this division are often found deployed to ships and bases to inspect them for any lack of discipline in observing Starfleet mandates and directives.

Judge Advocate General Corps: Much like a district attorney's office in civilian life, the JAG Corps pursues legal prosecution of those found charged with violations of Starfleet regulations and Alliance law using the justice system.

Marine Corps Air Service: Although referred to as an "air" service, this division holds all Marine officers and enlisted who fly and care for all Marine craft, including fighters and dropships.

Marine Expeditionary Forces: The MEF is the "standard" marine division, for all "ground-pounding" marines. This division holds all non-flying marines, those charged with security aboard ships and starbases, as well as those assigned to regular battalions for operation in forward areas during conflicts and wars.

Research & Development/Corps of Engineers: Engineers and support staff focused on the development of new technologies, starships, shuttles, fighters, and other useful endeavours are assign to R&D.

Training Command: All officers and enlisted under this division are charged with the education of its members, new and old. Most typically, they are housed at Starfleet Academy or one of the annexes within the Alliance.

Merchant & Supply Service: This division, part of the Starfleet Reserves, handles logistical needs of the fleet, through transport of cargo, supplies, auxiliary craft and personnel.

NOTE: In filling out your P-30C, please be aware that only Border Patrol, Exploration Command, Starbase Operations and Merchant & Supply Service will be accepted. All other divisions are by invitation-only. If you select outside of the first three, they will be ignored.

Reporting Aboard

Now that you've submitted your form, or had your discussion, you should have received your assignment from Vice Admiral Jorgensen. It's important that you proceed immediately to reporting and assuming your berth on your ship or base.

All starbases within the Alliance are easily reached using the automated shuttle system, and from there most of Starfleet's vessels are in port at one of them. From Spacedock, one only needs to board the Shuttle Atlantis to reach Starbase Deep Space Nine. The shuttle stops at either base once every ten minutes.

If you're assigned to a ship and your vessel is on deployment, you will need to send a mail to the ship's commanding officer, and they may elect to dispatch a shuttle to deliver you to your new assignment. Otherwise, you may use the time beforehand to role-play with the local officers and crew aboard the starbase while you await transport to your ship.

Joining the Crew

All ships and bases have their own mailers and channels. They are the best methods of communication for the crew. Each mailer and channel is restricted to only those belonging to the crew of each unit. This information is usually disseminated by the ship's commanding officer or executive officer, or a designated support officer/crew member that will reach out to you and help you get integrated.

At this point, you should have role-played with the CO or the XO when you reported aboard. Following the satisfactory conclusion of that session, you should seek quarters and find your area of assignment (the bridge or operations center, engineering, sickbay, security, etc). Once you've familiarized yourself with all sections of the ship that are open to you, you should also find the public areas (lounge, bar, ten-forward) where you can interact with other members of the crew.

Advancement & Promotion

As your play your character within Starfleet, you might be wondering what one has to do in order to advance in rank. Every six months (one month RL) the Starfleet Promotion Review Board (PRB) convenes to determine officers and enlisteds deserving of promotion. During their deliberations, there are several circumstances and factors that come into play with promotion and they are, in no particular order:

Time in Grade (TIG): This is the minimum amount of time necessary for consideration for promotion. Officers and enlisted that do not meet this minimum will not be promoted unless under extraordinary circumstances (see: Battlefield Promotion), or by direction of a flag officer with justifiable cause.

Activity: While TIG sets the minimum bar, activity in your assignment is a key part of being considered for promotion. The more activity you show in logging in and participating, the easier it will be for promotion to be bestowed upon your character.

Demonstrated Ability: In addition, your character's abilities will be taken into consideration. Obviously, activity factors in, but substantive contributions are also to be considered.

Favorable Reports: Superiors' opinions will also factor in to a promotion selection. A letter of commendation or other accolades presented by Starfleet in the period of review will be taken into consideration.

Ultimately, while a Commanding Officer's recommendation is usually given strong weight during the PRB's meeting, it is not the sum of their decision.

Ensigns

All ensigns are on a clock for promotion to lieutenant (jg), from the moment they accept their diploma from Stafleet Academy or their completion of Officer Candidate School. If they do not complete post-Academy qualifications or satisfy their commanding officer of their abilities, then they will lose their commissions and be reduced to petty officer third class and assigned to a similar division. Additionally, they may be transferred to a new assignment.

Midshipmen

Should you opt to be a midshipman, you will be assigned to a ship or base for a period of six months IC or one month RL, for a training cruise (aka field studies). You will be evaluated by your superior officers during your time aboard. Near or at the end of your cruise, the designated training officer (usually the executive officer) will role-play with you to let you know of their findings of your work during your time aboard.

Midshipmen who succeed in their field studies or training cruise will likely graduate at the rank of Ensign. Those who fail or receive negative reports of their conduct or abilities while serving may be held over for additional or remedial studies, resulting in a longer duration at their current rank of midshipman. They may also be sent to another posting for another try at field studies.

Finally

When in doubt, ask for assistance. And remember that IC actions hold IC consequences.